Man turns himself in, arrested in death of girlfriend

Nov. 2, 2013

Updated 1:33 p.m.

1 of 4

A 13-month-old girl was found injured next to her mother in the 1600 block of West Edinger Avenue on Halloween. Police said her 21-year-old father may have been responsible. He turned himself into police Friday night, but has not been cooperative. COURTESY SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT

1 of 4

A 13-month-old girl was found injured next to her mother in the 1600 block of West Edinger Avenue on Halloween. Police said her 21-year-old father may have been responsible. He turned himself into police Friday night, but has not been cooperative. COURTESY SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT

1 of 4

A 13-month-old girl was found injured next to her mother in the 1600 block of West Edinger Avenue on Halloween. Police said her 21-year-old father may have been responsible. He turned himself into police Friday night, but has not been cooperative. COURTESY SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT

A 13-month-old girl was found injured next to her mother in the 1600 block of West Edinger Avenue on Halloween. Police said her 21-year-old father may have been responsible. He turned himself into police Friday night, but has not been cooperative.COURTESY SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT

SANTA ANA – A man police believe was involved in the death of his girlfriend and injury of his infant daughter Halloween night turned himself in Friday, authorities said.

Fransico Montano, 21, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run in the death of his girlfriend – identified Saturday as Gloria Sanchez, 21, – and is being held on a $200,000 bail because officials believe he may be a flight risk.

Police responded around 8 p.m. Thursday to reports of a body lying in the 1600 block of West Edinger Avenue. When they arrived, a woman was found with massive head trauma, police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

Sanchez’s 13-month-old daughter also was found in the street with bruises, cuts and bumps. Both were taken to a hospital, where Sanchez died several hours later.

Police believe that Sanchez and her daughter were injured after being pushed or jumping from a moving vehicle. Witnesses told police at the scene they believe someone driving a dark-colored pick-up truck was carrying the mother and her daughter before the accident, Bertagna said.

Authorities released photos of Sanchez’s daughter hoping for new information and Bertagna said several calls came in that ultimately helped authorities identify both Sanchez and the baby.

Montano turned himself and his black Toyota Rav4 into the police Friday night, accompanied by his family. He has been uncooperative and has not provided any information about what happened, Bertagna said.

Detectives will be examining Montano’s SUV for evidence, Bertagna said.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.